Renewables – offshore wind

While the global nuclear industry is pricing itself out of the energy market and into bankruptcy, Germany and the Danish offshore wind energy developer, builder and operator, DONG Energy, have agreed to build an offshore wind energy project in the German North Sea without government subsidy. Instead, Denmark’s Dong Energy plans to rely on wholesale market prices instead of extra government support. The move further casts new nuclear power plant construction into deeper doubt. By contrast for example, the United Kingdom’s Hinkley Point C nuclear power project completely relies upon the government’s guarantee of more than twice the current UK wholesale electricity price for the next 35 years. Germany’s offshore wind energy project presents a competitive sea change for the offshore and deep water wind industry globally. The North Sea wind project starts out with a 240-megawatt (MW) farm at OWP West and another 240 MW farm at Borkum Riffgrund West 2. The projects are the first unsubsidized offshore wind turbines in all of Europe. DONG Energy was additionally awarded a third project in the German North Sea for the subsidized 110 MW Gode Wind 3 offshore wind farm.

Harland and Wolff has won a contract to supply parts of wind turbines for a project off Germany – supporting 80 jobs in Belfast. It will make suction buckets used to anchor the turbines to the sea bed for a Polish company, ST3 Offshore. UK Trade Minister Greg Hands said: “This multi-million pound contract is a boost for high-skilled manufacturing jobs in Northern Ireland.” It is the second major turbine-related order for Belfast in recent months. Last November, it landed a £20m contract with wind farm developer Scottishpower Renewables.

Thank you for your interest in our nuclear news service, and apologies for interrupting your visit.

If you are not already a subscriber, you can sign up free to receive the daily news by email.

We do not charge for the email service or for access to the daily news online, but we do rely on donations from individuals to help cover the costs and are asking regular readers to consider making an annual donation.

The recommended amount for those who can afford it is £30, but any contribution is appreciated.